Thesis (MScFor (Forest and Wood Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis assesses the livelihoods of rural households in a proposed green field forestry area, located in Sanga District of Niassa province, Mozambique. The livelihood analysis was used to analyze potential socio-economic impacts of introducing forest plantations to rural households located within the proposed afforestation area. The study made use of household interviews, key informant interviews and secondary data. The sustainable livelihoods framework was used in the research process to develop the household questionnaire and to identify livelihood strategies. Data was analyzed using 331 household questionnaires collected throughout the proposed afforestation area in various communities in the study area. Findings from the study indicated that there is minimal wealth gaps between rural households; but that the introduction of the forestry industry and the subsequent employment created thereof may result in larger wealth gaps between wage earning and non-wage earning households. The study further concludes by linking the potential socio-economic impacts with mitigation recommendations that could be harmonized with FSC Standard requirements for forestry companies interested in developing a forest industry in the study area. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ontleed die lewensbestaan van landelike huishoudings in ‘n voorgestelde nuwe bosbou area, gelee in die Sanga distrik van die Niassa provinsie, Mosambiek. Die lewensbestaan ontleding was gebruik om die potensiele sosio-ekonomiese impak van die vestiging van bosbou plantasies op landelike huishoudings in die voorgestelde bebossings area te analiseer. Hierdie studie het gebruik gemaak van huishoudelike onderhoude, sleutel informant onderhoude asook sekondere data. Die volhoubare lewensbestaan raamwerk was gebruik in die navorsings proses om die huishoudelike onderhoude te ontwikkel en om die huishoudelike strategiee te identifiseer. Data was geanaliseer van 331 huishoudelike onderhoude afgeneem in verskeie gemeenskappe binne die studie areas. Bevindinge van die studie het aangetoon dat daar minimale inkomste gapings is tussen landelike huishoudings, maar met die vestiging van kommersiele bosbou en geassosieerde werskeppings moontlikhede, mag groter inkomste gapings ontwikkel tussen huishoudings wat inkostes uit bosbou verdien en huishoudings daarsonder. Verder het die studie aangetoon dat daar ‚n potensiele sosiale impak is van mense wat na die area migreer en dat sulke impakte deur FSC sertifisering beheer kan word.